Description
Who Should Have the GI-MAP Comprehensive Stool Analysis Done?
Almost every patient can benefit from a GI-MAP gut health assessment. Some patients are looking to achieve optimal health, while other patients have been chronically ill and frustrated without a diagnosis for years.
Some conditions that warrant testing are:
- Autoimmune diseases
- IBS/IBD
- Digestive complaints, diarrhea or constipation
- Brain fog
- Skin problems, like acne and psoriasis
- Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety
- Diabetes and weight loss issues
PATHOGENS
The GI-MAP® includes pathogens (bacterial, parasitic, and viral) commonly known to cause intestinal gastroenteritis. It’s important to note that not all individuals with positive findings for pathogens will present with symptoms. Many factors, including the health of the individual, the transient nature of some pathogens, and the presence and expression of virulence factors all contribute to an individual’s symptoms.
Toxins are a type of virulence factor produced by certain pathogens. Since GI-MAP is a DNA-based test, results reflect the levels of pathogenic strains carrying the toxin genes, not the levels of any toxins that may be produced.
BACTERIAL PATHOGENS
- Campylobacter
- C. difficile Toxin A
- C. difficile Toxin B
- Enterohemorrhagic E. coli
- E. coli O157
- Enteroinvasive E. coli/Shigella
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli LT/ST
- Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx1
- Shiga-like Toxin E. coli stx2
- Salmonella
- Vibro cholerae
- Yersinia enterocolitica
PARASITIC PATHOGENS
- Cryptosporidium
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Giardia
VIRAL PATHOGENS
- Adrenovirus 40/41
- Norovirus GI
- Norovirus GII
H. pylori
Recent studies have shown that nearly 50% of the world’s population may harbor H. pylori. And, although many carriers are asymptomatic, H. pylori is known to have a causative role in ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer.
Additionally, in early phases of colonization, patients may experience hypochlorhydria followed by a change to hyper aciduria. Over time, additional H. pylori strains may colonize, including those with Virulence Factors and increased disease potential.
H. pylori
- H. pylori
- Virulence Factor, babA
- Virulence Factor, cabA
- Virulence Factor, cabPAI
- Virulence Factor, dupA
- Virulence Factor, iceA
- Virulence Factor, opiA
- Virulence Factor, vacA
NORMAL/COMMENSAL BACTERIA
Trillions of microorganisms inhabit the human intestine to make up a complex ecosystem that plays an important role in human health. Commensal bacteria extract nutrients and energy from our diets, maintain gut barrier function, produce vitamins (biotin and vitamin K), and protect against colonization by potential pathogens.
COMMENSAL BACTERIA
- Akkermansia Mucinophilia
- Bacteroides fragilis
- Bifidobacterium spp.
- Clostridia (class)
- Enterobacter spp.
- Enterococcus spp.
- Escherichia spp.
- Faecalbacterium prausnitzii
- Lactobacillus spp.
OPPORTUNISTIC/OVERGROWTH MICROBES
Many bacteria measured on the GI-MAP are considered opportunistic pathogens, as they only cause disease and illness in some individuals, particularly the immune-compromised. Many individuals come into contact with opportunistic bacteria and experience no symptoms. Most sources consider these microbes to be normal in the stool. However, they can cause gastroenteritis and inflammation at high levels in vulnerable patients. Symptoms may include diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal pain, or even constipation.
Overgrowth and excessive colonization by opportunistic bacteria may occur when the commensal bacteria are impaired by poor diet, antibiotic use, parasitic infection, or a weakened immune system. When intestinal permeability is present (see zonulin), these microbes could escape the lumen of the gut and infect extraintestinal sites.
ADDITIONAL DYSBIOTIC/OVERGROWTH BACTERIA
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Enterococcus faecium
- Methanobacteriaceae (family)
- Morganella morganii
- Pseudomonas spp.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Staphylococcus spp.
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus spp.
POTENTIAL AUTOIMMUNE TRIGGERS
- Citrobacter spp.
- Citrobacter freundii
- Fusobacterium spp.
- Klebsiella spp.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Mycobacterium avium
- Prevotella copri
- Proteus spp.
- Proteus mirabilis
FUNGI/YEAST
Fungal organisms are commonly found in the human digestive tract, but fungal overgrowth can cause illness in susceptible individuals. Fungal growth may be localized in the body. For instance, Candida spp. may be high in the large intestine but normal in the small intestine, and vice versa. In a patient with suspected fungal overgrowth, additional tests may be necessary to understand the complete picture of fungal overgrowth. Urinary D-arabinitol or antibodies to Candida are sometimes used.
FUNGI/YEAST
- Candida albicans
- Candida spp.
- Geotricum spp.
- Microsporidia spp.
- Rhodoturula spp.
VIRUSES
OPPORTUNISTIC VIRUSES
- CMV- Cytomegalovirus
- EBV- Epstein Bar Virus
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